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My Sister Has Been Making Fantasy Dolls For Over 16 Years, Here Are Her Best 30 Works
Hi everyone, my name is Elena and I'm posting on behalf of my sister Helena, who is an artist. She has been creating dolls for the past 16 years or so. All of her dolls are handmade and one-of-a-kind. She does everything herself, from the hair itself to creating a hairstyle, shoes, and even dresses. Helena also makes the sculpture itself, so every face she carves out is unique.
More info: Instagram | oplakanskastudio.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ariel Adeline Choo 1 year ago
It's so beautiful. I wish to have a collection of very unique dolls, animals cartoon-like. May I know if this is for sales?
My first dolls that I made were not elves or girls—in fact, they were male dolls that were good for taking portraits. I took inspiration from images of barons, kings, princes, and even gangsters.
It takes about a month to create one doll. First I draw a sketch on paper, then I select the fabrics. After that, I sculpt the structure of the face, arms, and legs. Each time I sculpt a new unique face. I do not use any molds and I love working with Super Scalpey and La Doll.
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#2
BastWren 4 years ago
Oh, I especially love this one! The drawing in the background, the little silver pot, the bear...and her incredible clothing! Just the look of the entire scene is brilliant.
Carmen Sandiego 4 years ago (edited)
It really gives me Elinor(from Merida) vibes! The outfit, the bear, the cauldron...it's all there!
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#3
Heidi Gardner 4 years ago
Okay, so I don’t collect dolls, it never interested me, but I NEED EVERY ONE OF THESE TO START A COLLECTION !! These are little pieces of art!! Absolutely magical
Elina 4 years ago
In gallery Dollery.com or on my Instagram page @oplakanska
Load More Replies...I always have a lot of ideas. The inspiration comes from beautiful films, illustrations by other artists, art photographs and exhibitions, music, and travel. Sometimes a piece of vintage fabric can also suggest a theme for a new doll collection.
In order not to burn out when it comes to creating dolls, I like take a short break or vacation for myself. I can change my occupation for a short time—for example, I go and draw. The change of scenery helps. After the rest, I love to create my dolls again.
#4
#5
Palo Sulek 4 years ago
interesting and charismatic (the full series) but what about that belly here??
All of my dolls are gentle, fragile, mysterious fairies and just girls in love. They are not sad at all, they are romantic dreamers. It is important for me that each doll has a unique character and emotions. It is emotions that make the doll alive. And each doll has its own story.
When it comes to the creative stage of my work, I love all the stages. But the most magical and mysterious moment is when I draw eyes for the doll. At this moment, she looks at the world and becomes alive.
#6
Cheri Aline Sydney 4 years ago
I absolutely love these dolls.... I would be so thrilled to see her entire collection in person....
#7
Cindy Hiel 2 years ago
My fav. You flipped it. A white raven. I love raven, but making her coloring black and the bird white, PERFECT!
On my Instagram account @oplakanska, I show videos of the working process when it comes to my dolls, share mine and Elina’s art studio, and just our creative life and work. We use Instagram to share our many years of experience and knowledge, and we write a lot of useful information for those who might be interested in making dolls themselves.
#8
Hey Ho neighbours 4 years ago
Reminds me of Beth Harmon at the end of Queens Gambit in her white outfit
#9
Hey Ho neighbours 4 years ago
This one finally looks happy! Makes such a difference. She's lovely
I also plan to create a second book about dolls together with Elina. We are currently working on it. It will be called ‘Style of the dolls, searching for your own character design.’
#10
#11
Cheri Aline Sydney 4 years ago
You can almost feel the emotion that the doll is expressing for her furry friend...
Tigerente0815 3 years ago
Look at her cute rabbit ears. Reminds me of Louise Belcher from Bob's Burgers. :)
#12
#13
BastWren 4 years ago
Okay, I am enjoying looking at these but their little faces are really starting to get to me. I just want to take them all away and keep them safe and make their lives better. (Note: I am not criticizing the artist; these are some of the most incredible dolls I have ever seen and I love them, but their expressions really do something to your heart.)
Tony Barron 4 years ago
VA writes: I agree with everything you've said. When I came to this place, I went "Whew, I need a breather from the sadness...." This is the most incredible talent I've ever seen in doll making. Every bit of detail is imagined and then refined by her to perfection. She has a great talent for taking what is in her mind so many steps further to create a tangible piece of work and makes what is her fantasy, our reality.
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#14
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#16
Joke Vermote 3 years ago
I was thinking the same thing! this is one of my favourites
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#18
Tony Barron 4 years ago
VA writes: Her settings for all of her dolls are as lovely as each of the dolls are. So thoughtful and correct - they always complement one another beautifully.
#19
ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago (edited)
“Master has given Dobby a sock! Dobby is freeee!” (Seriously though, these are absolutely amazing)
Shona 4 years ago
i mean i would say the dirty version of that quote but yk i will get so many downvotes LOL
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#22
Cheri Aline Sydney 4 years ago
Looks like she just came in from the cold and is hoping for hot cocoa!
#23
#24
Carmen Sandiego 4 years ago
Aww her hair and eye colour kinda resembles mine! But really, she looks awesome!
Denny Cwiek 4 years ago
I love this one, she looks like an unscathed child, not hopeless and sad.
#25
#26
Hey Ho neighbours 4 years ago
I love the tiny differences between them despite them being twins
#27
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#29
Hey Ho neighbours 4 years ago
Why do the creepy dolls have their own little creepy ass dolls?? It's too many layers of creepy!
#30
Hey Ho neighbours 4 years ago
She looks like she left a ball / party but got attacked on the way home and had to escape by running through the woods and rolling down into a muddy ditch
Diane Johnson 4 years ago
I think she went home and got into a fight with her 3 wicked stepsisters.
#35
#37
Cheri Aline Sydney 4 years ago
Now, this one really tugs at the heart strings ! I haven't seen an artist create such lifelike tears before... very well done!
#44
Melanee Upton 4 years ago
I wonder what they use for the hair, looks so soft..is it real hair?
Carmen Sandiego 4 years ago
Brushing wool gets a similar effect, but it looks so real!
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#48
#54
#56
#57
#63
#67
Laurie F. Daut 4 years ago
The dolls are beautiful but I hope that Helena isn't channeling her own personal despair.
#68
#69
Denny Cwiek 4 years ago
These dolls are fantastic, but this one looks like she's been abused. Some of the others look like orphans or victims maybe of child trafficking.
Carmen Sandiego 4 years ago
I know... they have a gloomy air around them. But they still look awesome and Helena is really talented!
Load More Replies... Melanee Upton 4 years ago
In my opinion art is all about conjuring emotion. These dolls definitely do that!
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What do you think ?
BastWren 4 years ago (edited)
I love these so much! The juxtaposition of the gorgeous Victorian clothing and bright colors with the sorrow and despair in their eyes is very poignant. For all their sadness, it is obvious they were created with much love and care. The incredible detailing, the choice of fabric, the way the scenes are set for the photos...everything about them is exquisite. Thank you for posting these, Elina, and please tell your sister that these are some of the most incredible and wonderfully creative dolls I have seen in my more than six decades. Stunningly well done!
lenka 4 years ago (edited)
They are stunning! They all seem so very sad but I am so drawn to them. Amazing detail and fascintating eyes.
Charlie_Emily 4 years ago
These are amazing. Imagine if they were all used in a stop-motion movie or short film
BastWren 4 years ago (edited)
Elena, the link to the studio's website results in a "Server Not Found" error. Just wanted to let you know.
BastWren 4 years ago (edited)
I love these so much! The juxtaposition of the gorgeous Victorian clothing and bright colors with the sorrow and despair in their eyes is very poignant. For all their sadness, it is obvious they were created with much love and care. The incredible detailing, the choice of fabric, the way the scenes are set for the photos...everything about them is exquisite. Thank you for posting these, Elina, and please tell your sister that these are some of the most incredible and wonderfully creative dolls I have seen in my more than six decades. Stunningly well done!
lenka 4 years ago (edited)
They are stunning! They all seem so very sad but I am so drawn to them. Amazing detail and fascintating eyes.
Charlie_Emily 4 years ago
These are amazing. Imagine if they were all used in a stop-motion movie or short film
BastWren 4 years ago (edited)
Elena, the link to the studio's website results in a "Server Not Found" error. Just wanted to let you know.
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